Dr.Kalam on "Youth dynamics and the nation"

Address and interaction with the students of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya at Indore on 12-June-2013

“When you wish upon a starMakes no difference who you areAnything your heart desiresWill come to you”

I am delighted to address and interact with the students of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya here at Indore. My greetings to all of you. Friends, today, before coming to here, in the morning, I have inaugurated a Planetarium at Ujjain. Govt of Madhya Pradesh has established this unique dynamic facility for astronomical observation and research. This planetarium is being created to provide hands-on training to students in astronomy and space-science and also kindle the urge for research in young minds. I am sure, all youth of this University will visit Ujjain observatory and see the marvels of our Galaxy Milky Way. Dear young friends, today when I am with you, I would like to share some views and thoughts on the topic “Youth dynamics and the nation”.

Dear friends, when I am in front of over thousands of youth, I am thinking what thoughts I can share with you. I hope will provide a bridge for the innovative ideas of the youth with the mature experience of the experienced for the prosperity of this region. I realize how the contributions of the youth in the past have continuously enriched the world of today in many fields. When I am with you, I would like to recall the inspiring advice to you by Swami Vivekananda, "how has all the knowledge in the world been gained but by the concentration of the power of the mind? The world is ready to give up its secret if we only know, how to knock, how to give it the necessary glow. The strength and force of the glow come through concentration. There is no limit to the power of the human mind. The more concentrated it is, the more power is brought to bear on one point, that is the secret”. Dear friends, this thought has indeed influenced my conscience and I would suggest that the education system must develop this faith among our youth and the youth to practice this faith in all their actions.

Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan 2013-14

National Integration Through Science

Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) is a national level science education propagation program for students of 6th class to 11th class through competitive examinations and workshops to identify keen knowledge seekers in science, with the noble objective of national integration through science.

“Ayurveda is the basic foundation of medicine system. Ayurveda is our traditional heritage. It will always be there. We can demolish the disease from the root with the help of Ayurvedic medicine system and can build an image of complete good health. Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine is being developed in the whole world on the basis of Indian traditional knowledge of Ayurveda. Therefore, it is the role of government and society to participate in helping it to grow.” These thoughts were expressed by Former Union Minister, MP and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr. Murli Manohar Joshi at the opening of the Fifth World Ayurveda Congress.

The “WORLD AYURVEDA CONGRESS” was inaugurated on the second day of 5th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2012 (7 to 10 December). On this occasion Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi were the chief guest, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan were the special guest and the chairpersons were the eminent scientist Padmashree Dr. Vijay Bhatkar with the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and AYUSH Minister Shri Mahendra Hardia. Dr Joshi said in his address that “To the promote Ayurveda the concerned University should be established.” He further added that courses should be changed and the study of Sanskrit should be made compulsory. We should develop a system of medicine which is accessible, affordable and effective. He appreciated the participation of Central Industry and Commerce Ministry in the program and talked about its importance in clearing the patents problems in the field of Ayurveda to be able to reach at global level. He also appealed to make AYUSH Ministry at the central level as well.

“MP could be the Experimental Land for Ayurveda” - Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan

“Madhya Pradesh could be the experimental land for Ayurveda.” said Mr. Shivraj singh Chauhan at the valedictory ceremony. This Valedictory ceremony of the 5th World Ayurveda Congress and the Arogya Expo took place at Gyan Sagar Hall, Lal Pared ground, Bhopal which was presided by Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Hon. Chief Minister of MP and the guest of honour were Shri Jayant Malaiya, Minister for environment and water resources and Shri ailash Vijayvargiya, Minister for industry, science and technology, MP Government.

At the last day Mr. Shivraj Singh Chauhan said that whatever conclusions will be derived from WAC (World Ayurveda Congress), he will try to apply that in the state. He further announced that new Industrial Ayurvedic policies will be made by the MP Govt where money will not be the barrier and “Logo ko bachana hai toh Ayurveda badhao” campaign will be launched. He further added that Khushilal Sharma Ayurvedic College will be used as the centre for excellence and in every district of MP ‘Health Fare’ will be organized on big level. Also the Advisory Board will be setup in MP to promote Ayurveda and a proposal was made to organize the 6th World Ayurveda Congress in Bhopal again by the CM.

Young Scientists and Researchers should lead India into a developed nation

Rashtriya Yuva Vaigyanik Manch, a platform created by Vijnana Bharati for Young Scientists, Technocrats and Professional students has conducted its third edition of Young Scientists meet at Presidency University, Kolkata during 17,18 Feb, 2012. Nearly four hundred and fifty scientists and research scholars from all over the country participated in this two day meet.

This conference has been dedicated to Acharya PC Ray, the father of Indian Chemical Industry.

Acharya PC Ray Young Scientists’ Conference was inaugurated by His Excellency, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The two day conference was organized by Vivekananda Vijnan Mission, West Bengal state unit of Vijnana Bharati, along with Presidency University and Calcutta University to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Acharya P C Ray. Shri Janab Abu Nasar Khan Choudhury, Minister, Science & Technology, Govt. of West Bengal graced the occasion as a Special Guest. Prof. Avtar Tulsi, IIT Mumbai, the youngest professor in India delivered the key note address, presided by Padmashri Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, National President, Vijnana Bharati.

Welcome to Vijnanabharati

Bharath, the land of eternal knowledge which churned out the secrets of material as well as metaphysical world, is becoming an important global player. The materialistic world around, weary of the ever increasing competition, is hopefully listening to her wisdom of Vedas and Upanishads. But can she rise to the occasion and lead the nation states to a sustainable world order? Does she have her inner strengths that gave birth to the Vedas and Upanishads still intact?

The womb that gave birth to Veda Vyasa, Adi Shankara, Varahamihira, Aryabhata, Shusrurha and Bhaskara had become sterile. After Sir C.V. Raman, we have none to be proud of among the golden array of Nobel Laureates.

About Vijnanabharati

India faces critical challenges as a nation in its march towards a welfare state. Considering the nature of the challenges which are so unique, only rapid strides in the sector of science and technology, in resonance with India's heritage can meet those challenges. In this context Vijnanabharati, a science movement with swadeshi spirit has a greater role to play.

Swadeshi Science Movement was started in Indian Institite of Science- (Bengaluru) by a few eminent scientists under the guidance of Prof. K I Vasu. This movement gradually gained momentum and emerged as an organization with national presence. In 1991(Oct 20-21) at the Nagpur meet, it was decided, to launch the Swadeshi Science Movement at all India Level and named it as Vijnanabharati. The foundation principle of Vijnanabharati is made ...

Message from the president of Vijnanabharati

I see the future of Vijnana Bharati beautifully embedded in its name itself. The future of Vijnana Bharati is 'Bharatiya Vijnana' and we will try to bring it to the fore not only in the Indian context but also in the entire world context. Vijnana Bharati stands for the synthesis of science and spirituality for the service of humanity. We have three flagship programs, name Bharatiya Vijnana Sammelan, World Congress of Vedic Sciences and the World Ayurveda Congress, complemented by a spectrum of conferences, workshops and events covering research, education and extension.

Our publications, particularly the well received 'Science India' should reach out to more and more young minds who hold the key to India's future.

The Farm Challenge | by Shri M S Swaminathan

In India, the world leader in annual milk production at 100 million tonnes, an estimated 75 million women are involved in growing or collecting the fodder and feed essential for the dairy animals to produce more milk. In contrast, hardly 1,00,000 dairy farmers are involved in producing nearly 70 million tonnes of milk in the US. This is a good illustration of what Mahatma Gandhi described as “production by masses”, in contrast to the “mass production” technologies of the West. There are two important implications. First, we must improve the productivity and profitability of mass production technologies through labour diversification and not displacement. Second, we must mainstream gender considerations in all areas of agricultural research, education and extension.

Technology and Education | by Prof. Yashpal.

I am a bit at a loss as to how I should constrain the scope of my remarks. You can say so much on science as also on education. Should one write on ‘science in education’ or ‘education in science’ or about science and education quite independently? Since the constraints have not been explicitly stated I will go by the antecedents of the people who have organized this affair. As I understand they seem to believe that education, including that in science and technology could be tremendously improved if the infrastructure for delivery could be more technological. Besides improving the pedagogy of transaction, information from the world would become accessible to our students and teachers. And then we will be on our way to becoming a world superpower. Let me try to lend some perspective. I hope this is not seen as too censorious in respect of our present enthusiasm about I.T.

Time to ignite young minds | by Shri A P J Abdul Kalam

In science, impossible does not exist. Inventions and discoveries are the products of constant endeavour by creative minds, envisioning ever-new outcomes. With vivid imagination and consistent effort, the forces of the universe can be made to work for an inspired mind. How do we fire up the minds of India's youth who are the foundation for cutting edge research and usher in a renaissance in Indian science? We need a new generation of creative scientists. For that, we need an environment for research and challenging missions. Above all, academic institutions must have well-equipped laboratories and professors who have the proven capacity to attract youth to science. I have noticed that Indian universities lack a research culture. I believe where there is good research, good teaching is possible; where there is good teaching, good research emanates.

Impact of advances in science and new technologies on society | by Shri M G K Menon

The advancement of science and technology is surely one of the greatest organised creative activities of humankind today. The material world that we see around us, and the way society functions today are direct manifestations of these advances. The origin of science lies in the evolution of the human brain, and the intrinsic sense of curiosity in human beings to explore, to know, and to understand nature and the world around. Historically, the origins of science go back to the beginning of civilised existence. From its earliest days, science has been embedded in society, there has been a continuous learning process in society as a whole, based on day to day experiences and this can become the body of the knowledge from which applications and understanding have grown.

Nuclear Power in India: An Inevitable Option for Sustainable Development of a Sixth of Humanity | by Dr.Anil Kakodkar

India is the world’s largest democracy with a population of about 1.045 billion and low per capita income. In recent years, it has witnessed an impressive growth rate in GDP. The development aspirations of its populace demand that this growth rate be sustained for a long enough time so as to enable them to have a decent quality of life. This requires matching growth in the availability of energy. Further, the development process is also driving, as expected, a shift in energy use from non-commercial energy sources to commercial sources, particularly electricity. This phenomenon is similar to what has been witnessed by the developed countries in the West. But the situation in India is more complex because of the high density of its population.

Science and Technology for social harmony

"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made" - Albert Einstein

We have to teach our younger generation the untold contributions and history of our great grandfathers and mothers. These will inspire and give them the courage and confidence to follow those footsteps. Vijnana Bharati has to take them to the modern world and equip them to face the challenges and move forward. With one hand on the mouse of the computer and the other on the lines of our traditional knowledge and culture, let us walk towards the future with strong steps and full conviction. Let us regain the past glory and lead this world into a paradise of peace and prosperity.

From Vedic times, India advented and nurtured a unique ‘Gurukul’ system of learning. Literally, entering Gurukul meant becoming a devoted member of Guru’s family of learners. In the Indian tradition, the supreme Guru has been equated with God, being the creator, the sustainer and the ultimate liberator of the aspiring learner. The Gurukul system still exists in India in many traditional branches of learning such as music, performing arts, indigenous medicine and traditional arts and crafts. Slowly, the Gurukul system however gave way to class room based learning at all levels of learning from pre-school to higher education.

Editors Choice

“If I was asked what is the greatest treasure which India possesses and what is her greatest heritage, I would answer unhesitatingly that it is the Sanskrit language and literature and all that it contains. This is a magnificent inheritance, and so long as this endures and influences the life of our people, so long will the basic genius of India continue”

Jawaharlal Nehru

“We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.”

Albert Einstein

“If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions, I should point to India.”

Max Mueller

“If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.”

Romaine Rolland

“There has been no more revolutionary contribution than the one which the Hindus (Indians) made when they invented zero.”

Lancelot Hogben

“India, the land of Vedas, the remarkable works contain not only religious ideas for a perfect life but also facts which science has proved true. Electricity, radium, electronics, airship, all were known to the seers who founded the Vedas.”

Wheeler Wilcox

“After the conversations about Indian philosophy, some of the ideas of Quantum Physics that had seemed so crazy suddenly made much more sense.”